Window structure



March 1959 Y. P. M. J. MALENFANT 3,430,384

WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 23, 1967 Sheet of 5 Yves I? M. J. Ma/enfanfIN VE N TOR.

B w gap Attorney March 4, 1969 Y.- P. M. .1. MALENFANT 3,430,334

WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 23, 1967 Sheet 2 of 5 I. 5 :I I: \?a i F g@i l 3 I J? 32: :ii' 7' J Yves P. M. J. Malenfanf INVENTOR.

Attorney March 1969 Y. P. M. J. MALENFANT 3,430,334

WINDOW STRUCTURE Sheet 3 am Filed Feb. 23, 1967 Yves R M J. Malenfanf INVENTOR Attorney United States Patent US. 01. 49-371 3 Claims Int. Cl.E04b 1/04 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Window structure having an innerpivoted frame formed of profile section to provide an inwardly facinggroove in which a glazed panel is mounted and an outwardly facing groovesuporting a resilient sealing element for engaging an adjacent portionof the fixed outer frame of the window structure when the inner frame isin closed position.

The present invention relates to a window structure more particularlyfor dwelling houses.

The invention in particular makes it possible to produce windows whichare highly satisfactory from the aesthetic point of View, and whichproduce a very good seal, and are characterized by simplicity ofassembly, installation and handling.

Moreover, the basic elements of structure are amenable to the productionof windows of different types, for example, vertical-hinge windows orhorizontally hinged windows or two-part vertical-hinge windows.

The present invention provides a window structure comprising an outerfixed frame defining a window opening and a movable inner framesupporting a glazed panel for closing said opening, the said inner framebeing profiled to form a first groove facing inwardly of the inner framein which the glazed panel is adapted to be mounted and a second groovefacing outwardly of said inner frame, a resilient sealing elementmounted in said second groove for making sealing engagement with saidouter frame when the inner frame is in closed position, the said firstand second grooves being disposed back to back, a flange being providedon said outer frame and a resilient sealing element mounted on saidflange for engaging a portion of the said inner frame when in closedposition.

Preferably, that part of the outer frame againt which the sealingelement abuts is of convex shape, and at either side of this convexpart, channels are provided for catching rainwater or condensation.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the profile of the innerframe will be symmetrical about its own median plane.

Profiles of the kind proposed in accordance with the invention can beobtained by extrusion of metal or plastics. Preferably, these profiledsections will be produced from a strip of metal (for example a strip ofstainless steel) formed in a known fashion by rolling. In this case, thejoining of the edges of the strip constituting the profiled section ofthe mobile part of the frame, will be effected at the base of one of therebates. In addition, the bottoms of the two grooves will, when theframe is made of metal, be in contact with one another and be weldedtogether at the time of assembly of the two edges of the strip, thussimplifying the welding operation.

To enable the invention to be fully understood, it will now bedescribed, by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view, taken from the outside of a windowaccording to one embodiment of the invention,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line IIII of FIGURE1,

FIGURE 3 is a persepctive View of a corner of the window, parts being insection,

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on the line IV-IV of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view on the line VV of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a detail of ahorizontally-hinged window.

FIGURE 7 is a section of part of the detail view of FIGURE 6, and

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of another detail.

The window illustrated schematically in FIGURE 1 of the accompanyingdrawings comprises two rectangular inner frames A and B mounted in acasement or outer frame C.

Each of the inner frames is made up of four rectilinear lengths ofprofiled section, mitred at their ends and assembled in the fashionexplained hereinafter.

The shape of the section of these profiles can be seen in the sectionedillustration of FIGURE 4. This section, or profile, which is symmetricalin relation to the plane X namely the median plane of the window,comprises two tubular parts 1a, 1b having exterior curved portions 2aand 2b. Between these two tubular parts, two back-to-back grooves areformed, one of them 3 having a rectangular section and the other 4having an inverted U-like shape in cross-section.

The profile form may be produced by symmetrically bending aparallel-edge strip of material, the opposed side edges of the stripabutting along the median line 5. As shown the said side edges abut thebase 3a of the groove 3, and are welded along the line 5.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the groove 3 is designed to accommodate aU-section sealing strip 6 for a glass panel 7, while the groove 4 has asealing element 8 having two parallel lips 8a and 8b,, secured thereinby adhesive.

It will be noted that the area of the weld that is at the bases of thegrooves 3, 4 is covered by the sealing strip 6 and sealing element 8 andconsequently, is well protected against corrosion. The dimensions of thesealing strip 6 are preferably such as to permit glass panels ofdifferent thickneses being fitted ranging for example from 3 mm. glassto 10 mm. plate glass.

The lips 8a and 8b are adapted to bear against an internal convexsurface 10, of the outer frame C. At either side of this convex surfacethe outer frame C is formed with two channels 11 one of which isextended in the form of a return portion 12, inwardly curved at 12a toform a flange, provided with a sealing element 13. With the window inthe closed position, this sealing element engages the curved portions(2a or 212).

The assembly of the four lengths of profiled section forming the framingis effected by means of L-shaped corner inserts 14 such as thatillustrated in FIGURE 8.

Each of the arms of these inserts has a sectional profile correspondingto that of one of the tubular portions 1a, 1b, and is hollowed out toform a groove 15 which cooperates with the inner face of the associatedtubular portion to define a cylindrical channel.

Each arm of the insert is also formed with a drilled hole 16. Thus, asFIGURE 3 shows, using two corner pieces 14 and four screws 17, twomitred casement sections can be assembled at right-angles to oneanother. FIGURE 3 also indicates how two channels 11, in whichcondensation or rain-water can collect, communicate with the exteriorthrough narrow passages 40.

It will also be noted that with a casement constructed in this fashion,it is easy to dismantle one or two sides thereof simply by releasing thescrews 17, in order to replace a damaged window-pane.

The cylindrical channels formed in the tubular sections 1a, 1b, are usedto accommodate the window hinges and casement bolts.

As shown in FIGURE 5, a rod extends through the channels 11 over thefull height of the window and projects at the two ends, where it isreceived in sleeves 21 and 22 fixed to the outer frame C.

The bottom sleeve 21, contains a convex bearing 23, and acts as a hinge.The top of the rod extends into the lower end of the upper sleeve 22,the end of the rod being spaced from the inner end of the sleeve.

Between the two corner inserts 14 and 14 there is produced in thecomponent 2b a longitudinal slot 25, whilst the rod 20, in that portionof its length exposed by this slot, contains threaded holes 26.

When the slot 25 is exposed, it is possible to insert into one of thedrilled holes a rod having a threaded end, thus enabling the rod 20 tobe longitudinally displaced. In this way, it can be moved upwards intothe upper part of the sleeve 21 in order to remove the window.

When the window is in place, screws 28 are inserted into the holes 26 tosecure a plate 30 which closes off the slot 25.

The rod 20 may, if desired, be replaced by two aligned rod sections, oneengaging in the sleeve 22 and the other in the sleeve 21, the inner endsof these two rod sections being connected to a manually operable devicewhich can be designed after the manner of a nut and held in position bya bayonet fixing.

For the central mounting of the inner window frames A and B, rods extendthrough internal passages in the respective frames, the upper and lowerends of the rods engaging in seatings formed in the outer frame C.

Preferably, each of the inner window frames is provided with its ownbolt. Either the frame A or the frame B may be adapted to be closedbefore the other.

In the example illustrated in FIGURE 2, the frame B has been designed toclose first. When the frame A has been closed in its turn, the lips 8a8b of the sealing element 8 associated with frame B will be forcedoutwards by the portion 31 of the frame A, whilst the lips 8a and Sbwill be deflected inwards by the portion 32 of the frame B.

With the window in the closed position, the sealing element 13 seals offthe window around practically its full periphery, additional seals areprovided by the action of the lips 8a and 8b. Between these two sealingdevices, the space 37 which is at a pressure intermediate of thepressure prevailing inside the room and that outside, limits the extentof any draught which can develop as a consequence of discontinuity inthe sealing fittings.

It will be understood that the invention is applicable to window framespivoting about a horizontal or a ver tical axis.

As shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 the section of the case ment is symmetricalin relation to a plane corresponding to the plane XX (FIG. 4) except forthe return portion 12, 12a. The outer frame is in two halves D, and Dconnected at the level of the pivots 38 in such a fashion that in thecase of one of the halves, the return portion 12a is positionedexternally of the window whilst in the case of the other it ispositioned internally. Thus, in pivoting about the axis YY, in theclosed position one of the halves of the inner frame of the window is incontact through the curved portion 2a with one of the halves of thesealing element 13, and the other is similar in contact through thesymmetrical curved portion 2b with the other half of the sealingelement.

As illustrated in FIGURE 7, the pivot 38 is carried by a flat plate 39fixed in place by means of screws 40 engaging in threads in tubularportions 1a and 1b. The pivot 38 rotates in a socket 41 fixed in theplane of symmetry of the part 10 of the casement.

It will be understood that the invention is applicable to glazed windowsindoors.

I claim:

1. A window structure comprising an outer fixed frame defining thewindow opening and a movable inner frame supporting a glazed panel forclosing said opening, the said inner frame being profiled to form afirst groove facing inwardly of the inner frame in which the glazedpanel is adapted to be mounted and a second groove facing outwardly ofsaid inner frame, a resilient sealing element mounted in said secondgroove for making sealing engagement with said outer frame when theinner frame is in closed position, the said first and second groovesbeing disposed back to back, a flange being provided on said outer frameand a resilient sealing element mounted on said flange for engaging aportion of the said inner frame when in closed position, said innerframe comprising side wall frame units each having mitred ends andassembled together through the medium of separate corner pieces, saidcorner pieces being L-shaped, the arms of which are formed withlongitudinal grooves, said grooves in the corner pieces combining withportions of the inner frame to define longitudinal passages for a rodabout which the said inner frame is adapted to pivot.

2. A window structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein a bolt is providedfor locking the inner frame in closed position.

3. A window structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer frame issymmetrical about a median plane.

4. A window structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer frame isformed with a drain groove, the said flange being an extension of one ofsaid drain grooves.

5. A window structure comprising an outer fixed frame defining a windowopening and a movable inner frame displaceable in said opening andprovided in a glazed panel for closing same, said inner frame beingprovided with a profile member along the periphery of said panel withsaid profile member having a Wall formed with a first U-section channeldefining an inwardly open first groove receiving said panel, with asecond U-section channel defining an outwardly open second groove in theplane of said panel, and a tubular rib of convex configurationinterconnecting said channels and projecting transversely on oppositesides of said plane of said panel along the periphery of the latter,said channels having bights abutting one another, a resilient sealingelement of strip configuration seated in said outwardly open secondgroove and engageable sealingly with said outer frame in a closedposition of said inner frame and panel, said outer frame being formedwith a flange juxtaposed with said rib in said closed position, and afurther resilient sealing element mounted on said flange and engagingsaid rib in said closed position.

6. A window structure as defined in claim 5 wherein a pair of juxtaposedinner frames are mounted on said outer frame, the sealing elementmounted in the portion of said second groove at one side of each innerframe being adapted to engage said outer frame and the sealing elementin the portion of the said second groove on the opposite sides of eachof the said inner frame being engageable with an adjacent portion of aside wall of the rib of the other of the pair of inner frames.

7. A window structure as defined in claim 5 wherein the said firstgroove is of rectangular section and accommodates a sealing element ofU-section in which the glazed panel is received.

8. A window structure as defined in claim 5 wherein the said secondgroove is of U-shape and the sealing element received therein comprisestwo resilient lips.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,020,581 11/ 1935 Sevison 49-488XR 2,793,723 5/1957 Martin 49489 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 416,134 9/ 1934Great Britain. 932,036 8/ 1955 Germany. 957,068 1/ 1957 Germany.

KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 49400, 488, 489

